About me

Joy of Life Photography by Jen Keller

As a self-taught photographer, my path to where I am today is non-traditional. I grew up in a family with a vibrant creative spirit. Both of my parents were avid photographers. Mom loved documenting family events and Dad was lured by the art and beauty of photography. One of them was always making pictures. As soon as I was old enough to have my own camera, I joined in on the fun. It was not until I much older that I realized my often insatiable need to create is a result of the creative environment that was fostered when I was young. For that I am grateful, because I cannot imagine my life without my photography.

My Dad was one of my biggest fans and one of my biggest sources of inspiration. Some of my fondest memories and my most special pictures were taken on outings with him. After a shoot, I would hurry home and load all of my pictures onto my I-Pad and bring them over for him to see. It was not that he would “ooh” and “ahh” about them, but we would talk about the pictures and the experiences for hours. He loved the stories. It was a connection that was incredibly precious to me. When he got his first DSLR, I was inspired by the images he had made. He never wanted to learn the intricacies of the settings. He had a way of seeing the beauty in everything without having to know about aperture and shutter speed.

For me, photography is a collaborative medium to make new friends, share a few laughs and forge enduring memories. It brings a calm to my world. Perhaps, because I strive to make the experience fun and light-hearted, it will have the same effect on you.

So, with the images displayed in my gallery—or those that I create especially for you—I invite you to share in my “Joy of Life!

About Jen Keller

I live in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with my husband. I enjoy a wide range of interests including photography, travel, cooking, birding music, zentangling, crocheting and more. We actively support each other’s interests: I photograph his radio controlled airplanes and he’s an eagle eye at identifying bird species! Holding a B.A. in German from Knox College, a M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning from DePaul University, and as an alumna of two study/live abroad programs in Germany, I have enjoyed the rewards of teaching high school German since 2004.

My Credentials

Exhibitor 2015 Art Scene at Katie’s Cup in Rockford, Illinois.

Recognized by the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Elgin 1440 community photography art project